Health-centred climate adaptation: insights from local governments in western Sydney, Australia

Climate change poses a clear and growing threat to human health. While local governments are widely recognised as the key level of government responsible for climate change adaptation, they have faced challenges in effectively addressing this critical issue. This research focuses on Western Sydney, a rapidly growing urban region in Australia that is frequently affected by extreme weather events. We conducted stakeholder interviews and document analysis, using an adaptive capacity framework to identify the barriers and enablers to implementing climate- and health-related strategies across the region. A range of barriers were identified, both spatially proximate and contemporary, as well as remote and legacy-related. The central finding was the critical need for increased collaboration within and between agencies, and with the communities they serve, in order to overcome adaptation barriers and implement solutions. This collaboration is seen as essential in addressing numerous immediate and current challenges, including the inconsistent framing of climate and health issues in local strategies, limited knowledge-sharing, and siloed working practices. Collaboration can also help address historical and more systemic barriers, particularly the prioritisation of economic development over climate resilience and the insufficient allocation of federal and state resources to local governments. Ultimately, fostering collaboration among professionals, communities, and political stakeholders is crucial for building adaptive capacity and implementing effective climate adaptation strategies. These strategies can mitigate climate-related health impacts throughout the region and ensure that communities are better prepared for future challenges.